Alleviation of mandibular anterior crowding with

copper-nickel-titanium vs nickel-titanium wires:

A double-blind randomized control trial

Treatment Procedures with Tri-Sectional Arches

Arthur L. Wool, DDS - Wyomissing, PA

The tri-sectional arch by Modem Arch corrects orthodontic problems with low force. The arch is available in rectangular and square anteriors and posteriors, and may be used in any bracket system, including .018- or .022-inch slots. The arch complements free-sliding, self-lodcing brackets.

My personal experience using arches with rectangular anteriors and reduced posteriors spans 40 years. The style that is used today features a variety of anterior alloys combined with reduced steel square posteriors. The steel posterior segments have resiatance to deformation under any load. Anteriors are normally made of steel, although nickel titanium and beta-titaniun are also available.

When placing a tri-sectional arch during posterior sliding treatment, avoid using elastomerics on any posterior brackets through which the arch is to slide. Elastomeric rings produce a great deal of friction and hamper retraction and spaced closure. Do not forget that not one gram of tooth-moving force is available until after all friction requirements are met. Keep it light, keep it simple. Do not hamper your self withb binding mechanics; a bird cannot fly with an anvil around its neck.

The rectangular anteriors allow retraction with any degree of anterior axial control desired. This is achieved by size selection of anterior arch segments as well as bowing (accentuating the curve of the spee in the upper arch) or not bowing the posterior segments. The square end segments, when bowed, have a natural tendency to bow-in as whipped between the fingers. This bowing-in is advantageous in that it prevents the natural tendency of a bowed arch to flare the posteriors and lift buccal cusps in the posterior dentition. The arch itself assumes a shape like that of a reverse-curve arch and is shaped like a saw. When one end of a seesaw goes down, the other end goes up. This is true with an arch as well. Bite-opening may be substantially enhanced by holding down the posterior end of the upper arch. This potentially opens a deep anterior bite. The holding down of the posterior of the upper arch is accomplished using a boxed posterior elastic, which is placed bilaterally.

The elastic hook-up for the boxed posterior elastic is from the upper molar to the upper bicuspid to the lower bicuspid to the lower molar. This presupposes that the lower arch is set up. The lower arch and dentition is used as a guide to the final placement of the upper dentition. The retraction of the upper anteriors is enhanced by the upper arch bowing without any additional retractive force placed upon the upper anterirors. This retractive force comes through the efforts of the bowed upper arch, which is trying to intrude into the upper molar. A threerooted molar is not easy to intrude. The intrusion is offset by the boxed postedior elastics. The flaring is also offset by the toeing-in.

During this procedure the upper arch should always be allowed to protrude a bit beyond the end of the buccal tube This prevents the arch from getting stuck in the tube. If this occurs, say goodbye to any retraction. The upper arch is now pressing against the buccal tube, is bowed, an end is protruding and a force vector is produced, which encourages the arch to creep backward, out of the buccal tube. This light retractive force induced in the upper arch is substantial enough to move the bowed arch distally without any supplemental force. You are ahead of the game without trying.

If the retraction required is substantial, there is always the tendency for dishing-in the anteriors, depending upon their axial inclination prior to retraction. As the bowed upper tri-sectional arch is lowered into the anterior bracket slots its action during retraction is to behave as if it has supplemental torque across the anterior segment, even when there is none. It is like achieving torque action without trying--you are ahead of the game for the second time!

A case with pronounced upper protrusion and little angulation is more difficult, and all care should be taken to prevent dishing-in, which becomes a real possibility. With such cases, I reach for one of the tri-sectional arches that comes with supplemental torque acoss the anterior segment. These pretorqued arches have anterior segments that are made with 20° of torque and are available in two different arch slot sizes.

Tri-sectional Arch Wires Review from Orthodontic Products Magazine

Dr. Christopher Kline

I have been a big fan of passive self-ligation philosophy for quite a while now. I have used many generations of Damon brackets in addition to several other brands of passive brackets. My current appliance of choice is the Damon DQ bracket. Oftentimes during anterior retraction I find that the .019 x .025 posted stainless steel archwires bind and do not slide efficiently through the posterior brackets, even after reducing the posterior portion of the wire with a heatless stone. Reducing the wire once it has been fitted and cut to length is also a cumbersome task in a busy practice and leaves the wire with inconsistent dimensions and posterior irregularities.

I used Modem Arch's Tri-sectional archwires many years ago when I used twin brackets and the MBT prescription. I recently tried to incorporate this remarkable arch wire back into our sequence and found that it has become our finishing wire of choice for its quick and simple space closure and sliding retraction on the upper or lower arch. We use wire that is .019 x .025 in the maxillary anterior, but only .018 x.018 in the posterior. Anterior torque is maintained, sliding mechanics are smooth and predictable, doors close easily, and there is no posterior arch wire reduction needed. Also, the hooks are low profile and a lot less noticeable than the traditional soldered brass posted arches being they are much smaller and efficient. My selections are the 20 degree pre-torque Beta Titanium anterior with Steel posterior and the flat Steel Tri-Sectional Arches but I know they do make them in multiple configurations with NiTi and Elgiloy alloys. Modem Arch has even started to make the posterior in round segments similar to the old Wonder Wires.

The range of these arch wires with different combinations for mandibular and maxillary dimensions of 22mm to 50mm helps me to customize treatment to specific clinical needs. I have found when using the Tri-Sectional arch it should always be allowed to protrude a bit beyond the end of the buccal tube, this will prevent the arch from becoming stuck in the tube and halting retraction. Also, when placing a Tri-Sectional arch with my MBT brackets, I avoided using elastomerics rings on the brackets at this time to keep all movement in sliding mechanics free of any drag. Elastomeric rings produce a great deal of friction and do not help retraction and space closure so with the Damon bracket I do not need anything and with twin brackets they recommend light ligature ties.

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